BASIC COLLEGE SUPPLY LIST
strong bookbag, assignment book/PDA
desk and/or wall calendar
clock radio; battery alarm clock (storms/weekend trips)
cell phone and charger
phone, extra phone cord and splitter (if needed)
1-3 fans (number depends on size of room, if AC, etc.)
flashlight/batteries
tons of extra batteries/chargers (get calculator batteries, too)
3-4 surge protectors, 2-3 extension cords (that’s not too many!)
desk lamp & bed lamp/light bulbs ( clip ons?)
bulletin board/tacks, wall posters/poster tack, command strips
2 white boards, eraser/marker (one by phone, one for door)
S-hooks/wire (if room has a molding strip or false ceiling)
over-door hooks: single/multiple hooks; suction cup hooks
laundry detergent, stain remover, fabric softener, dryer sheets
laundry basket/bag for closet, drying rack, timer
clothes hangers: single, multiple, with clips; hangers for belts & ties
small sewing kit
duffle bags (big, weekend, gym bag), luggage tags
file organizer for important papers/receipts
credit/debit card(s), bank book, ATM card, extra emergency cash
camera (film/memory card/batteries and charger)
family and friends pictures, photo albums (for old & new pix)
key chain for room key (college lanyard?)
Lysol spray, room air freshener, Febreze
wastebasket (not too small!)/garbage bags
bug spray, fly swatter, ant traps
stamps, addresses, stationary/envelopes
list of family/friend birthdates (& extra birthday cards)
FOR FUN
deck of cards, favorite games, favorite movies
sports equipment (basketball, frisbee, mitt, tennis racquet, cleats, etc.)
in-line skates, scooter, skate board (protective gear)
CD’s (and holders); portable CD player/iPod; headphones
COMPUTER SUPPLIES
Computer/printer, paper, ink (+ extra ink), external hard drive, flash drive (at least 4mg), ethernet
card, blank DVDs/CDs, CD cases, mouse pad, lock for laptop
SCHOOL/DESK SUPPLIES
calculator, thesaurus, dictionary, foreign language dictionary, small desktop supply holder, desk
drawer organizer, white-out, pens, pencils, ruler, scotch tape, masking tape, glue, pencil
sharpener, stapler and staples, staple remover, post-its, highlighters, black marker, colored pencils,
scissors, folders, 3x5 cards, binders, notebook paper, notebooks, dividers, report covers,
eraser, paper clips, spiral notebooks, scratch pads, rubber bands, hole puncher, clip board, bed tray
(a hard surface for doing work in bed), bookends (1-2 sets), packing tape, a few file folders, a pencil
container for bookbag
BATHROOM SUPPLIES
bucket for supplies (for hall bathroom), toothbrush (plus case), toothpaste, floss, mouthwash,
deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, hair spray, hand lotion, razor/blades (plus case) and/or electric
razor, shaving cream, brush/comb, antibacterial soap, bodywash or shower soap (plus case), nail
clippers/file, plastic bathroom cup, hair dryer (Depending on how easy it is to get and to store
additional supplies - take extra shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
supply box, general vitamins, any special vitamins, Tylenol, cold medicine, Advil, antacid, band
aids, bee sting wand, Neosporin, suntan lotion, Solarcain, Chapstick, ace bandage, ice pack, heating
pad, thermometer, tweezers, itch cream, diarrhea medicine, cough drops, cough syrup, sore throat
spray, acne cream, Benadryl, Kleenex, anti-nausea medicine, any prescription medicines (don’t
forget glasses/cases, contacts/related supplies, retainers, or any other such personal items) Note:
be sure to check expiration dates on items at least once a year and restock as needed.
LINENS
2 pillows, 2 sets sheets (verify if X-long beds), comforter, blanket (not too heavy), throw blanket,
mattress pad, egg-crate cover for mattress, 2-3 LARGE bath towels, 1-2 beach towels, wash cloths
FOOD/SNACK SUPPLIES
bottled water and/or plastic bottle for refills, can opener, plastic silverware, cup, plate, bowl, mug
(coffee/soup?), large glasses, pitcher (for water, ice tea?, etc), water bottle (for sports activities),
chip clips, ziploc bags, paper towels, dish soap & a few dish towels, snack foods, sodas/drinks (don’t
forget hot chocolate mix, coffee, tea), cookie/cake mix (“just add water” type), cake/cookie
pan. NOTE: Be sure all dishes are microwave safe!
CLOTHING ITEMS YOU SHOULDN'T FORGET
extra underwear, extra socks, bath robe, bathing suit
raincoat/umbrella
winter gloves/hat/boots/silk underwear (for cold climates)
shower shoes (The most important thing you’ll take!!!)
watch, wallet, sunglasses
at least one nice dress/sport coat
TOOLS
2-sided sticky tape, duct tape, hammer, screw drivers, assorted nails, long-nose pliers, pocket knife
(with multi-functions if possible)
ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLS
curling iron, make-up, nail polish, perfume, feminine care products, make-up mirror, jewelry, purse
POSSIBLE STORAGE ITEMS FOR EXTRA SPACE
(depends on room size, bed configurations, room storage, etc.)
storage boxes (to put on closet shelves), trunk & pad lock, under bed chests, shelving units of some
sort, shoe organizer or shoe shelf, night stand, bed risers, bunk bed shelf unit
EASY TO SHARE WITH ROOMMATE
fans, window AC unit, refrigerator, microwave, TV, DVD player, stereo, iron/ironing board, small
vacuum or broom, battery wall clock, long mirror (if not supplied by college), floor rug, floor
lamp/light bulbs (NOT halogen), extra chairs (folding type best - can easily be stored in a corner of
the room), shelves, paper shredder
NOT ESSENTIAL, BUT....
curtains (get measurements first!), study pillow, bean bag chair or futon (or similar chair), bike/lock,
sleeping bag (for visiting friend, etc.), holiday decorations and lights (Halloween, Christmas,
Hanukkah, etc.), small cooler/ice pack (for picnics, trips), coat rack/stand (if there is space)
IF YOU HAVE A SUITE WITH A BATHROOM
(share with your roommate and suitemates!)
bathroom cleaning supplies (bucket, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, Windex, Lysol spray, 409 cleaner,
shower cleaner, brush, bleach, sponges, rags), plunger (critical!), bathroom wastebasket/bags, extra
big shower caddy, bathmat (bring a few - they get gross!), shower curtain (if needed), some sort of
shelving for supplies (if space), over toilet caddy (if space), broom/dust pan , bath rugs, paper towel
holder and towels, toilet paper (verify if dorm provides this)
FOR A SEMI-FURNISHED APARTMENT
beds/dressers, extra chairs/tables/shelves, extra lamps, bathroom supplies (see above list),
vacuum/broom, fire extinguisher/smoke alarm (verify if the apartment provides these), patio or
balcony furniture (if necessary), dishes, cups, silverware, pots & pans
basic kitchen supplies: knives, peeler, spatulas, wooden spoons, slotted spoon, butter brush, ice
cream scoop, tongs, timer, silverware holder for drawer, cheese grater, serving spoons, measuring
spoons, colander, measuring cups, 9 x 13 pan, wisker, microwave dishes, storage containers for
leftovers, casserole pans, strainer, hot pads, mixer/bowls, hand towels, dish towels, sponges, SOS
pads, baskets, toothpicks, cutting board, can/bottle opener, ice cube trays, dish drying rack, kitchen
wastebasket/bags, rolling pin, cake pans, cookie sheets, coffee maker, paper towel
holder/towels, George Foreman grill, toaster, apron, cookbook, spices, salt, vanilla, baking
soda/powder, flour/sugar/brown sugar/xxx sugar, baggies, aluminum foil, ... (and the supply list is
endless!)